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Severe Upper Resp Infections

Sorry this is long, but I wanted to give you as much info as possible.

BACKGROUND:

We have three mixed-breed inside dogs (77 lb F. dobie mix-5yrs; 55 lb unknown F. mix-2-yr; and a 30 lb F. cocker dachshund ??? mix-7yr ). All dogs are current on their vaccinations including distemper and bordatella and have been otherwise healthy.  They are all just barely above their optimal body weights.

Two weeks ago we found a sweet but scrawny 55 lb ~2-yr M. pit bull mix and took him to the vet for a checkup and shots with the hope of finding a good home for him.  He tested (+) for heartworms, so we started HW treatment.  Several days later the new dog came home and met our other mutts.  He was on tetracycline as part of the HW treatment.  We kept him as calm as possible by taking him to my work during the day.  He got along well with the other dogs (and our indoor cats).

Within a couple of days he developed severe yellow/green nasal discharge and was coughing up yellow/green phlem tinged with blood.  The vet added another antibiotic.  A couple of days later, he was having greater difficulty breathing, he stopped eating, and one eye would only open halfway.  I took him back to the vet where he was held in isolation.  When the vet checked on him the next morning, he began coughing up copious amounts of blood and immediately died.  The theory is that he might have either had distemper or an upper resp. infection (or both) along with the HW.

CURRENT PROBLEM

While the new dog was at the vet, our other three dogs developed the same upper resp. symptoms.  We started them all on antibiotics and guaifenesin/dexamethorphan.  The vet said that the antibiotics are in case of secondary bacterial infection.  The 77-lb dog also gets Rimadyl for a sprained elbow, which coincidentally occurred at the same time as the upper resp. symptoms.

It's been one week since the respiratory symptoms and treatment started, and the two large dogs still have a very bad cough with copious phlem and a little blood.  The largest dog constantly gurgles (very disturbing to us) and has trouble sleeping.  The smallest dog only coughs occasionally.  The two smaller dogs eat reluctantly.  The big dog is still a pig.  They all drink water.  All three are not as active as usual.

In addition to the antibiotic and cough expectorant/supressant, I give the two largest dogs Benadryl before bed (1mg/lb) to help them sleep.

Given that the stray dog died, we are very concerned about our dogs.

QUESTIONS:

- Does this sound like an upper resp. virus?  
- They should be immune to bordatella and distemper due to their vaccinations - right?
- Any problems with the current treatment?
- Any additional actions or changes we should make?
- Does this sound like something that will resolve itself soon with good results given that they are otherwise healthy?

Thanks in advance.

John
12 Responses
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460185 tn?1326077772
I've heard Dr. Cheng is difficult to reach.  She must be in high demand.

Hopefully, your dogs are better now.


Helpful - 0
514916 tn?1224518087
How are the dogs now?/  Did you ever determine exactly what the diagnose was???
Helpful - 0
460185 tn?1326077772
Hi

Glad to hear your dogs are feeling better.

Actually, I think that ejecting snot is a good thing - it shows that all the "bad" stuff is coming out.

I've never heard of a dog blowing their own noses or covering their mouths when they cough.  Your dogs must be incredibly intelligent = )

Hate to sound like a commercial but there is a thing called "Shark" that just uses water, no  chemicals.  When you plug it in, the water gets really hot. Just put that in the areas where the dogs make their snot messes and the hot water steams it out.  I've used it and found it to be quite helpful.

lonewolf


Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thanks for all of the comments and concern.  I tried posting to Dr. Cheng several times, but her post quota was always full.  As it turns out, the three dogs are starting to get better.  Still coughing, but not as much, and much less gurgling.  I think we are seeing light at the end of the tunnel.

Here's the gross part:

It's amazing how much snot can be ejected by three dogs!  They don't cover their mouths or noses and would rather eat tissue than use it on their nose.  I wish I could pressure wash the floor!  We keep mopping the tile, but they keep laying it down.  When it dries, it is like super glue.

John
Helpful - 0
460185 tn?1326077772
I'll have to see if they have that in Canada.  If I'm going to pay for pet insurance, I'd rather see it used for the animals and not add to the corporate, greedy, money-grabbing pet insurance types.

lonewolf


Helpful - 0
172023 tn?1334672284
Yeah, the premiums actually go to the organization to do some good, instead of going to a corporations pockets.  
Helpful - 0
460185 tn?1326077772
I realize he has been to the vet but was under the impression he wanted his other dogs looked at again.  When it comes to my own cats and dogs, I tend to over-react and take them to the vet.

Didn't know about the ASPCA having pet insurance.  I'm in Canada and I don't think our SPCA has pet insurance but after reading your comments, I'll check it out.

lonewolf


Helpful - 0
172023 tn?1334672284
Sounds to me like he's taken his other dogs to the vet already.  They're all on antibiotics and cough meds.  

Hey, did you know the ASPCA is now offering a pet insurance policy?  
Helpful - 0
460185 tn?1326077772
Hi

It's always good to hear from another animal lover who is responsible for his/her pet.  And you take in strays and go to the vet.  Sounds like my family - all our dogs were "dumped" and we took them in.

Mentioned your concerns about the stray dog and your dogs getting sick to a vet (we have a "vet connection" in our house) and the vet advised taking your dogs to a vet.   Also, she can't tell without seeing your dogs but thinks they could have upper respiratory - viral and/or bacterial - infections.  Vaccinations do not necessarily mean your dogs or anyone's cats or dogs - will not get distemper or bordatella (kennel cough) but it does mean it is easier to treat and less likely to result in their deaths.   This was new to me too.  It doesn't mean that you should not continue with vaccinations.

You and your wife sound like extremely caring and responsible people with your pets.

There are a number of pet insurance companies around.  If you get insurance now, while the dogs are still relatively young, you shouldn't have any difficulties.  Pet insurance doesn't cover pre-existing conditions and there is a deductible but IMHO it's good to have if you have more than one pet.  (Sounds like I'm trying to sell pet insurance but I'm not).  Right now we are using PetPlan but you might want to ask your vet or do a Google search to find the insurance policy best for you.  The cost often depends on which "package" you get.

Sincerely hope that your other dogs are doing well.  Please let us know how things are going.

lonewolf




Helpful - 0
172023 tn?1334672284
This would be an excellent post for Dr. Cheng.  If you look on the right side of the screen, about halfway down, there is a link to ASK A VET.

Dr. Cheng gives solid advice, and excellent suggestions including some alternative treatments that support the immune system.

I think your vet is doing an excellent job, and the stray dog may have died due to the weakened state that can accompany a large HW load and treatment.This, in addition to the URI may have inordinately hindered any chance he had at recovery.  

I'd worry too, though.  See if Dr. Cheng can add anything.  I'd think if your dogs are up to date on vaccines that distemper would not be much of a concern.  

Please post back and let us know how things are, ok?  Good luck.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thanks for the advice lonewolf07.  Between the stray and our 3 dogs having this problem, we're close to $2000 in vet expenses.  I need to check out pet insurance as you suggested.

In addition to our 3 dogs, which are all "rescued" animals, we have 6 indoor rescued cats.  4 were from a stray female who delivered (literally) the kittens in our backyard and then disappeared the next day.  No one we called would take them.  We had to choose between just letting them die, euthanasia, or raising them.  We chose to raise them, bottle-feeding every 2 hours at first.  When you have 4, you barely get through a feeding/pooping/peeing session before it's time to start again.  My wife and I took care of them in shifts.  We had to take turns bringing them to work.  They're 5-yrs old now.

The 5th kitten was scraped off of the middle of the road by my wife and taken to the vet.  The vet had to put a metal rod in one femur to fix a broken leg.  He also had to heal from a bruised bladder.

The 6th cat was a kitten that showed up at my wife's work very dehydrated.  

They'er all healthy and active now.  All of the dogs and cats get regular visits to the vet for checkups and vaccinations.  We're such "good" customers, that we were invited to a private dinner hosted by our vet clinic for a select few "best" customers.  I think I went into the wrong line of work.  I should have been a vet!

John
Helpful - 0
460185 tn?1326077772
The first thing I would do would be to take the other dogs to the vet asap.

Regarding your questions:

It could be an upper respiratory problem.  But did your dogs get it from the stray or did the stray get it from one of your dogs?  Either way, I would suggest going back to the vet.

Some vets think bordatella (for kennel cough) should be given twice a year, others say only once.  In theory they should be immune to bordatella and distemper.  Are they nearly ready for their next set of injections?  If so, the vaccinations might not be as strong as they were when first given.

After reading your other questions, I personally would take my dogs to the vet even though it is expensive.

Just a thought - have you considered pet insurance?  It can be quite beneficial in cases like yours (multi pet household).

It sounds like you really care about your dogs and I hope they are alright.  Am very, very sorry to hear about the death of the stray and respect and admire you for "adopting" him.  It made the end of his life more bearable knowing someone wanted him.

wolf (and dogs)



Helpful - 0
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